Jaguar E Pace: compact yet roomy with real strength

Driving Jaguar’s new compact SUV, the E-Pace, a very welcome prestige arrival in no less than an amazing 38 models – five 2.0-litre engines, three turbo diesel and two turbo petrol, all driving super smooth nine speed automatics and constant all-wheel-drive. I drove the most powerful turbo diesel and the least powerful turbo petrol –both first class driver’s in a compact yet roomy and attractive body with a real feeling of strength – for this reason they’re quite heavy and here the diesel engine perhaps handles this weight best with its better low speed torque but the petrol is by no means underpowered just not as spritely. Nice touches abound like LED headlights, power tailgate, rear view camera, 360 degree parking aid, the list goes on but the option list is equally extensive and adds considerable cost. I doubt if you would find a standard spec vehicle in the 38 model Jaguar E-Pace range – most will have a considerable number of expensive options. The other marketing ploy that many prestige importers are using these days is the first edition model – first edition another description of the first import allocation of a model that’s loaded with options – obviously designed to maximize a models profit at its initial launch.
However, for many potential customers it’s a turn-off when they’re told they can’t buy a stock standard model- most loaded with expensive options– On my test 2-litre Jaguar E-Pace D240 SE 17 options took the base price of $68,850 to $83,610. I’m David Berthon